Weekly tasting group #200; Merlot dominated Bordeaux 2009

The theme was Merlot dominated wines of 2009 and we were told there were some “pirates”. For the rest we did not know anything. All wines were poured fully blind.

• 2009 Château Marsau 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux

  In the bouquet ripe dark forest fruits and some oaky flavors. On the palate concentrated dark forest fruits, a touch of sweetness and good acidity. The tannin is round, but also firm. I had the impression the wine was closing down a bit with some more air time. Opinions differed in the group, but imho this is a very nice wine.

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• 2009 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac

  In the bouquet ripe dark berries, some green herbs and spices. On the palate dark forest fruits, herbs and spices, white pepper, licorice, a touch of bell pepper, some oak, good acidity and round, slightly sticky tannin. I was a little less impressed compared to the bottle I drank in August last year and I think the wine will develop for the better over the next 2 – 3+ years. 89 for this evening.

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• 2009 Château La Tour Figeac 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  The bouquet is a bit locked, but shows dark and red forest fruits and herbs and spices. On the palate red berries, e.g. raspberries and dark berries like blackberries. There also is some licorice, chocolate and vanilla, a touch of sweetness, good acidity and pleasantly youthful and sticky tannin. Medium length. The wine is still a few years too young. Start around 2018/19 and drink over the next approx 5 years… But there will be follow ups. 90 - 91

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• 2009 Château de Fieuzal 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  The bouquet is still locked but shows dark forest fruits, a firm dose of oak, some minerals and herbs and spices. On the palate dark forest fruits, cassis, some bell pepper, minerals, firm acidity and tannin with a firm bite and in this stage a bit edgy. Good bitterness. Not showing at its best now because it is still too young. I scheduled my first bottle for 2019 and in my score I include a point for future expectations. 91 – 92.

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• 2010 Arnaldo-Caprai Umbria Rosso Outsider 89 Points

  Italy, Umbria

  Creamy and slightly green and dusty bouquet with some vanilla as well. On the palate a mouth full. The alcohol shows a bit. Dark forest fruits, cassis and blackberries, dark chocolate, sweet spices, vanilla, cedar, a touch of sweetness, good acidity and sticky tannin. Will improve with a few years of ageing. Around 2018/19? 89+ for this evening.

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• 2009 Château Rollan de By 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc

  In the bouquet dark forest fruits, graphite, licorice and toasted oak. On the palate dark forest fruits, minerals, graphite, espresso, toast, vanilla, maybe also some hidden green bell pepper impressions, firm acidity and slightly sticky tannin and a good length. In fact for the price an impressive wine. Give it one or two more years of ageing. My first bottle is scheduled for 2017, so there will be a follow up on this TN. 90 for this evening.

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• 2009 Mas de Daumas Gassac 89 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault

  In the bouquet dark forest fruits and some rustic barnyard flavors. On the palate red berries and cherries, ok acidity and relatively soft tannin. Just a few notes this time, but there are 4 more notes of me in CT about this wine. I was a little less impressed than last time in November last year.

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• 2010 Château du Glana 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Beautiful bouquet with red and dark forest fruits, herbs, oaky flavors and vanilla. The same impressions on the palate, some chocolate, a bit herbaceous, a touch of sweetness and also firm acidity, slightly sticky tannin and some bitterness. Improves in the glass with some more air. In the tasting group some preferred the 2009 above the 2010. And although I score the wines the same, I had a slight preference for the 2010. Give the wine a few more years of ageing. 88 - 89

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• 2009 Château du Glana 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  The bouquet is creamy and a bit lactic with raspberries, cherries and some hay and oaky impressions. On the palate raspberries and cherries, some dark berries as well, chocolate, minerals, good acidity and sticky tannin. In the tasting group some preferred the 2009 above the 2010. And although I score the wines the same, I had a slight preference for the 2010. Give the wine a few more years of ageing. I have a few of this 2009, so there will be a follow up on this TN.

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• 2009 Château Poujeaux 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Moulis en Médoc

  The bouquet is still a bit locked but shows creamy dark forest fruits, some cherries, luxurious oak and cedar. On the palate juicy dark berries like cassis and blackberries, also some red berries like raspberries and strawberries, creamy, chocolate, cedar, good acidity and beautifully round tannin and bitterness. The wine is in its young maturity stage and already pleasurable, but will improve a bit with a few more years of cellaring. Really nice wine 91 – 92

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• 2009 Château Bellegrave (Pauillac) 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits, cassis, blackberries, graphite, tobacco, beautiful oak and a touch of pleasant barnyard. On the palate a wine with a good constitution, dark forest fruits, cassis, dark chocolate, minerals, cigar box, vanilla, firm acidity, tannin and bitterness. Impressive wine! This could have been a Grand Cru Classé! Great QPR!! Still too young. Probably wise to wait until 2019+. 92+

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